by Rod Hughes
Torrential rains in the Central Valley have moved the National Emergency Commission to declare a state of emergency in two cantons near Heredia, in the central canton of Alajuela and to issue a Code Yellow warning for the San Jose southern suburb of Desamparados.
Wednesday’s rains also provoked a near tragedy when two schoolgirls in San Francisco de Heredia fell into a meter-deep, flooded storm sewer across the street from their school and were carried half a block in the strong current before being rescued.
So far, no deaths have been reported but overflowing rivers have damaged homes in wide areas of the densely-populated Central Valley (Meseta Central) and strong rains continue to be predicted for the weekend.
In the community of Belen de Heredia, the ironically named Quebrada Seca (literally translated as “Dry Creekbed”) filled and left its course, damaging homes and businesses with currents so strong they carried away cars and mature trees.
The daily newspaper La Nacion reported that one resident, after spending the night in an Emergency Commission shelter, returned home and was “unable to believe my eyes.” The 70-year-old resident reported that the water inside the house in the laundry area came up to his chin and he found himself trapped. A neighbor had to extricate him through the roof.
So far, the Belen municipality reports 270 homes partially damaged, five totally destroyed, 40 businesses damaged and 20 cars submerged partly or totally. The municipal government immediately broke into its coffers to help with relocation of families and to pay cleanup costs.
And, as if that was not enough, a tornado ripped through the suburban Hatillo Cuatro and Alajuelita sections, damaging 200 homes and 40 businesses. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries were reported, but roofs were ripped off, light poles snapped and sheets of zinc roofing whirled dangerously.
Tornadoes are rare in Costa Rica and are usually weaker and shorter-lived than their counterparts in the U.S. “tornado alley” of the Midwest. This is fortunate, since no tornado warning or storm cellars exist here. But tin-roofing and lightly built tropical homes are susceptible to damage from high winds.